so. who here has Paint it Black?i'm getting it this weekend. i would've gotten it when it came out, buuut i live in a tiny city where many books dont get released. i had to get my mom to pick me up a copy, and she's coming home for my birthday/thanksgiving on saturday.

i'm also wondering if Paint it Black lives up to the success of White Oleander. i know that when i start reading this book, i shouldn't compare it to White Oleander, but i know it'll be in the back of my mind the whole time. either way, i'm excited for this book.

Hey, I just joined this community not even two seconds ago. I realize that people haven't posted in a long while so I figured I make a beginners post to hopefully: 1. Get people to know that I, too, love White Oleander 2.Have some active conversations posting (haveing people remember that this community still exists).

So, my name is Amanda. I am nineteen (twenty in February). I just read White Oleander over the summer and fell in love with it. I have seen the movie previously to the book, though I preffer the book versus the movie.

I have a few questions for people (hopefully this will get this community in use again):

1. Who is your favorite Character in the book?2. What are your personal thoughts on the book?3. Have you seen the movie? If so what are your opinions on it?4. Movie v. Book, which one do you preffer and why?

hey--- a quick request for the mod,could you please make the entries in colour so that we can read the posts without having to highlight them? i think that may also contribute to the lack of activity in recent times cos it's a bit frustrating.please and thanks!anna xxx

i drew a picture of astrid (alison) yesterday. and the quote is my favourite one. i thought you might like it. i totally love the book and the movie, .. the book maybe even a bit more than the movie. but i've been obsessed with both since summer 2003. i might even say the book saved my life back then. uhm and my name's stevie.

Now, as for the motive behind this post: Has anyone tried MTBI/Enneagram typing the characters? I've been on a White Oleander/Typing binge, aaand.. it's only logical that'd I'd attempt to nail down each of their personality types.

I've never been a very big fan of fiction. Whenever I've sat down in the past to try and read a novel, I always ended up feeling like I was wasting my time, like I there was nothing I could learn or gain from reading it, or at least not enough to warrant continuing with the book. White Oleander is the incredible exception.

The poetic stylings of the narrative kept me glued to the book, drinking in every emotive expression, however subtle. The intense sensitivity with which Astrid experiences everything in her life is something that stongly resonates with me, as does the unconventional morality and philosophical strength of Ingrid. It would be an injustice to the book to simply dismiss Ingrid as merely "evil," as the movi e seems to try and do (though I do like the movie as well. I own it). I think a lot like Ingrid, minus the vindictiveness and insensitivity. And I feel a lot like Astrid, minus the over-attentiveness. The two characters are like contradictory parts of my character, and which one is dominant depends on whatever it is I'm going through at the time.

I'm an aspiring writer/artist myself. I've been wanting to try my hand at writing fictional prose, and now I have an amazing work of art to aspire to. Janet Fitch's book is nothing short of a work of art.

Oh, and as for the question of whether Janet Fitch has any other works available:

She does have other work in print. She has a young adults book entitled Kicks, she has a number of short stories published in literary journals (shouldn't be hard to hunt down in a library), and she's currently working on a novel.

My name is Norah, and White Oleander changed my life. The depth of emotion, the deft characterization, the amazing flow of the words and the beautiful language have been such an inspiration to me. I do not have a mother like Ingrid, but the way Astrid learns about the world has a universality that touched me so much. I can never get tired of that book. My copy is as worn Ingrid's letters to Astrid.I didn't like the movie when I first saw it, but once I separated it from the book, I could appreciate it much more. The book is still far better.

I just changed my journal layout from Mean Girls to White Oleander, and I'm looking for some Astrid-based FO banners. Could anyone show me a good one, or perhaps be a doll and create one for me?

Hi all, I just finished reading White Oleander about 10 minutes ago [and I didn't want it to stop, it was like reading continuous poetry] and then found this community and had to join. *waves* So, I'm Ivana, soon to be 16 from Sydney, Australia. I haven't seen the movie yet and it might be a while until I get to, so if anyone knows where I can get some screen caps, it'd be awesome if you could let me know. Thanks. :)OK cool, just wanted to introduce myself.

Name: KateAge: 16Location: MichiganWhy do you like White Oleander?: It's so beautifully written, so fierce and so tender at the same time. It really drew me in, I read the whole thing in a day. Other interests?: Reading, writing, friends...i ski quite a bit...i play drum set in a tragic little local band...Anything else?: People can email me at starflower710@hotmail.com if they want to discuss the book/movie, or just want to talk.

hey kids. i am a huge fan of white oleander and i am new to acting and interested in doing a prose piece from the book. the problem is, i'm having trouble picking out the piece, without everything becoming sketchy and lacking quality. so, here are my questions. #1: what piece would you do? #2: are there any websites which have the whole book/selected pieces of which i would be interested in, in text form? (it'd be alot easier for me to cut a piece like this). thanks <3

Name- Kirsten [pronounce K+ears+tin.Yes,this is important.You would be suprised how many people call me Kristen or Krearstin or other mutations of my name.]

Age- 21.

Location-West Chester,PA .Its a little college town about 30 minutes from Philly.

Why do you like White Oleander? The book was beautifully written. I empathized with attaching ones self to the one who causes the most pain. I sympathize with all the fucked up things Astrid went through. And I'm a fellow artist. Its cliche,butI expressed alot of angst and pain through artwork. I didn't/don't do the recreationl drug use or promiscuous sex,so artwork was one of my few outlets.

Other interests? Drawing,Poppy Z Brite novels,reading whatever I get my hands on,painting,Courtney Love and Hole,girls with attitude,feminism-but not to the point of being militant,Alt rock,hello kitty,tophats,dark eyeliner,etc. If you're so inclined check out my intersts on my LJ info.

Anything Else? If anyone can post close up pictures of the suitcases at the end of the movie version of White Oleander I would be greateful. That was my favorite part of the movie.